Tua and Capstick to miss beginning of 2025/26 season

Exeter Chiefs centre Tamati Tua and lock Richard Capstick will both miss the start of the 2025/26 season due to injury.

Tua sustained an Achilles injury in training last week and the New Zealander has already undergone surgery on the issue.

He is now in a period of recovery before beginning rehabilitation with the Chiefs medical team.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We really feel for Tamati, he’s picked up a significant injury in a minor incident in training. Timescale-wise, these types of injuries, an achilles rupture, can vary but realistically we’re looking at a six to nine month return period.

“Everybody is disappointed for him as he was having a great pre-season, looking in fantastic shape so it’s one of those unfortunate situations. The plan is to help him work hard through the rehab period to get him back as soon as possible. It’s our responsibility to try to make the season as long as possible to try to give him the best chance of playing this season.”

Meanwhile Capstick suffered a PCL strain in training and to avoid aggravating the injury, he will not be available for the next eight to 10 weeks. The lock, who featured in all 18 Gallagher PREM games last season, will rehab with the Chiefs medical team during this time before returning to the field.

Baxter said: “Richard’s injury happened relatively late in the session last week when he got caught awkwardly in a tackle. His knee won’t require an operation, so he’ll be conservatively managed over a period of time before being allowed to return to play.”

Josh Hodge, Joe Bailey, Bachuki Tchumbadze and Dan John are all also completing short-term rehab processes with the Chiefs medical team.